Just before 11:00 am this morning, firefighters from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R) were called to a field fire on Germantown Road near Kaiser Road. TVF&R Engine 68 found fire quickly spreading through a wheat field adjacent to several homes and brought the fire under control within 30 minutes. The damage was limited to approximately four acres. The incident brought ten total fire apparatus to the scene, including three water tenders. TVF&R was assisted by firefighters from Washington County Fire District No. 2 and Portland Fire & Rescue Station 22 (St. Johns) and 27 (Forest Park/Heights).

A TVF&R fire investigator determined that most probable cause of the fire was a spark generated by a road grader scraping Germantown Road near the field.

HELPING OTHER FIRE AGENCIES THROUGH MUTUAL AID

When fire agencies provide emergency response and protection support to one another such as the situation described above, it is called “Mutual Aid.” Portland Fire & Rescue currently participates in mutual aid agreements with all fire agencies bordering the City of Portland including the Port of Portland Fire Department, Vancouver Fire & Rescue, TVF&R, Clackamas County Fire District #1, Lake Oswego Fire Department, and Gresham Fire & Emergency Services. The goal of mutual aid is to lend or receive fire protection and emergency medical services assistance across jurisdictional boundaries.

HOW DOES MUTUAL AID WORK?

The City of Portland Bureau of Emergency Services (BOEC) receives a request by a neighboring fire jurisdiction asking for mutual aid assistance. Portland firefighters are then contacted through normal dispatch procedures to respond to the structure fire or other significant event (e.g. hazardous materials, confined space, dive rescue) outside the City of Portland. When PF&R needs assistance, the same process is used in reverse.

We trust and rely on the fact that if we do have a large scale incident here in the City of Portland, other surrounding agencies will provide further resources if called upon. In addition, Fire personnel here at PF&R are committed to supporting and assisting other fire agencies that surround the City of Portland when in need.